Reds fans to raise Marie Curie funds

Two Liverpool fans are aiming to raise money and awareness for charity by cycling 250 miles from Edinburgh to Dublin in memory of former LFC Supporters' Committee representative, Paul Rice. Paul sadly lost his battle with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) leukaemia in January of this year at the Marie Curie hospice in Woolton. Paul was a well-known and popular figure amongst Reds supporters and could regularly be seen at matches both home and away. He chaired the inaugural meeting of the Spirit of Shankly (SOS) Supporters' Union before being elected as Chair and then Vice Chair and Lifetime Vice President in recognition of his work for the organisation. More recently he was elected to the newly formed Liverpool FC Supporters Committee, where he was chosen to represent fans in the Merseyside area. Now SOS members Fran Stanton and Kevin Morland are aiming to raise money and awareness for Marie Curie in memory of Paul - as well as Kevin's mum, Julia - by cycling a gruelling 250 miles from Edinburgh to Dublin in July. However, following their registration this week, the pair need to have raised a minimum of £2,000 by April 10 - and they're hoping Reds fans around the world can help them achieve their goal. Fran said: "This is a huge task and it would be much appreciated if you could donate as much or as little as possible, so we can raise as much money as possible for such a great cause." Kevin added: "Sadly on June 5, 2007 my mum passed away in the Marie Curie centre. "She was so well looked after and peaceful in her final hours all thanks to Marie Curie Care. It was then I started realising that without volunteers and fundraising, the Marie Curie hospices would not exist. "I then became determined to do my bit to support this amazing place and help families like ours who will need the help and expert support Marie Curie provides. "From July 12-15 we will be participating in a 250-mile bike ride from Edinburgh to Dublin, and through sponsorship we would like to raise as much money as possible for Marie Curie Care and do our bit to allow this amazing place to be around for as long as possible for others and their families."